Help me find feminine footwear for my bad feet

[AuntieMaggie]

I have some damage in my foot and after seeing a podiatrist today who recommended MBTs, skechers shape ups and fit flops and gave me some specialist insoles, I feel like I'm destined to a future of ugly shoes :(

Please help me find some shoes that are good for my foot/aren't going to damage my foot any further but are feminine!!!

I don't think any of the suggestions are going to go with my suit dresses....

It's a real problem having 'difficult feet'. Most of the time I live in MBTs and fitflops but today bought a pair of high heeled sandals in Dune to go with a dress to wear to a wedding. For some reason Dune's shoes are the most comfortable for my nightmare feet so they may be worth trying. I can't do links but the sandals have quite a chunky heel but are high (about 4") and very feminine.

Just incase you are going down the MBT/Sketchers route - I had MBT trainers and wore them for about 5 years until they practically fell off my feet. When it came to a replacement I decided to try save some money and got the Sketchers Shape-ups. They are nowhere near as good as the MBTs in either fit or how they wear. The tongue seems to get smushed up and ride upwards and though I do wear them I'm forever having to tug the tongue down and re-tie the laces. The MBTs are far more money but wear much better and are a much better fit imo. They look as ugly as hell sadly but I can walk forever in them.

Good luck on your mission

Thank you - will look into MBTs

I have a similar problem. I bought some wedges in Next last summer - their wide-fitting range - and can manage to wear them for a few hours! Good luck!

Also consider Hotters, they are very comfortable, come in wide fittings and there is a good range including some really feminine sandals and boots.

Clarks is your best bet for supportive shoes that will almost pass with a dress suit.
I have these: www.clarks.co.uk/p/20346316

I'm not going to pretend they're gorgeous but they're the best i can manage for walking around all day.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have at last found some comfortable shoes They are not cheap, but if I look at my collection of shoes worn once only before beimg rejected, the cost seems far less.
I have a pair of Alegria shoes, which I have worn contuously for 13 hours without pain! They have inserts to support the arch. They are funky witty and well worth looking at. I have been stopped in the sreet and asked where I got them.
Plum Soles of Derby have a website, take orders by phone or online and are on sale at the moment.
I have no financial interest in the brand or the shop, I just want to spread the word.

www.hottershoes.com/en/Women/Womens-Heels/66331_quickstep-shoes

Still selling summer range so options for work shoes a bit limited at the moment.

Podiatrist also said solid soles and wedges are good - anything too bendy is bad.

I'm only in my early 30s so want to be a little trendy :(

Another depressed vote for the Clarks unstructured range. I have these and have just bought a second pair in their factory shop as I have yet to find anything more comfortable (in 18 months of searching). I wear them half a size bigger to accommodate Scholl sports orthotics which I find better than the Salfordinsoles that the podiatrist gave me.

I rarely wear skirts these days because I hate what I have to wear with them

What was the diagnosis though? I'm a podiatrist and any heel over 1" will render the fastening of the shoe useless and the foot will move off the insole provided by us. If your foot isnt in the right position in the stance phase of gait then the insole wont work and you've wasted your money.

How about a pair of mannish brogues for work if you can wear trouser suits?

I tell patients wear sensible shoes for work (I have MBT's) and the for weddings or night outs I dont care what you wear.

Never wear shoes before the podiatrist has checked the suitability for insoles, that way you can return them is they arent quite right.

I dont expect patients to get it right first time buying shoes for insoles anyway.

I love my MBTs - they were on sale recently in Brand Alley and there are still some nice ones in their Outlet section

fluffycloud i have insoles that i was given and was given a leaflet about some others (i want to say vhd?) but have no idea what i'm looking at.

i have damage to the joint in my big toe and the toe itself (arthritic and narrowing of the joint...) so the insoles i have been given should stop me walking on the side of my foot and support the ball of my foot if that makes sense. i"ve always worn flat shoes apart from the odd pair of low heels for work.

i not long bought some dresses for work as they're easier for travelling :(

i also don't have much money to do all the things suggested

she also said i shouldn't do zumba which i'm gutted about as i'm trying to lose weight which is hard enough with pcos

Cycling is good for weight loss and doesnt aggravate (sp) the feet as much.

I have pcos and found giving up butter/margarine spreads helped.

I love my MBT's (trainers and sandals) and some of the new models are really cute (though expensive - but mine have lasted for years.)

Doc martens also do some nice chunky but nice shoes - check out Amazon

what about croc flip flops?

i have a pair and just realised my feet have never hurt in them even after wearing them for hours

Fly London are very comfortable ESP the wedge ones.

The K brand in Clarks is wider fitting than their standard shoes.

I think MBT may have gone out of business recently. If not, I definitely recommend them.